a European boraginaceous plant, Borago officinalis, with star-shaped blue flowers. The young leaves have a cucumber-like flavour and are sometimes used in salads or as seasoning
2.
any of several related plants
Word origin
C13: from Old French bourage, perhaps from Arabic abū `āraq literally: father of sweat, from its use as a diaphoretic
borage in American English
(ˈbɜrɪdʒ; ˈbɔrɪdʒ)
noun
1.
any of a genus (Borago) of plants of the borage family, esp. an annual (B. officinalis) with brilliant blue flowers and hairy leaves used as an herb in salads, drinks, etc.
adjective
2.
designating a family (Boraginaceae, order Lamiales) of dicotyledonous plants, including, Virginia cowslip, heliotrope, and forget-me-not
Word origin
ME < OFr bourage < ML borrago, burrago; said to be < Ar ab ʼarak, “father of sweat,” from diaphoretic use of the plant